Becoming a Marriage & Family Therapist: Job Description & Salary Info

About this article
The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists is around $48,000. Is it worth the education and licensure requirements? See real job descriptions and get the truth about career prospects to find out if becoming a marriage and family therapist is right for you.
  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Other Careers

The Pros and Cons of a Marriage and Family Therapist Career

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As a marriage and family therapist, you'll work with people of various backgrounds in order to help them cope and work through emotional and mental disorders. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of this profession.

Pros of a Marriage and Family Therapist Career
High-growth field (31% increase in jobs projected from 2012-2022)*
Often includes excellent job benefits (medical and life insurance, 401(k) and paid vacation)**
Flexible work schedule***
Opportunity to help people (with stress, divorce, guilt, substance abuse and other issues)****

Cons of a Marriage and Family Therapist Career
May deal with conflict situations***
Pressure to meet strict deadlines***
License is required*
Must complete continuing education classes on a yearly basis*

Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Monster.com, ***iseek.org, ****California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

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  • Pros & Cons
  • Career Info
  • Requirements
  • Standing Out
  • Other Careers

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Qualitative
      • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Quantitative
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Qualitative Research)
      • Bridge (Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision - Quantitative Research)
    Master's
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics
      • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Integrated Health
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Childhood and Adolescence Disorders
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling
      • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Counseling - Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders
      • Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    2. National University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PhD - Child and Adolescent Therapy
      • PhD - Couple Therapy
      • PhD - General Family Therapy
      • PhD - Medical Family Therapy
      • PhD - Therapy with Military Families
      • DMFT - Couple Therapy
    Master's
      • MAMFT - Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
      • MAMFT - Couple Therapy
      • MAMFT - General Family Therapy
      • MAMFT - LGBTQ Couple and Family Therapy
      • MAMFT - Medical Family Therapy
      • MAMFT - Military Family Therapy
    Certificate
      • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Colorado Christian University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therpy
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum
      • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Substance Use Disorders
    Bachelor's
      • Applied Psychology, B.S. - Clinical Counseling
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Health Sciences
    Master's
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
      • Master: Psychology/Addictions
      • MS in Educational Psychology
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions
    Certificate
      • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MA: Marriage & Family Therapy
      • MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)
      • MA: Human Services Counseling: General
      • MA: Human Services Counseling: Life Coaching
      • MA: Addiction Counseling
      • MA: Human Services Counseling: Addictions & Recovery
  • Online Programs Available
    8. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA: Psychology - Clinical/Counseling
  • Campus and Online Programs
    9. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy
      • M.A. Counseling Psychology
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
    Certificate
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
  • Western Governors University

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Qualitative
  • M.S. in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Family Dynamics
  • BS in Counseling - Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse

What is your highest level of education?

National University

  • PhD - Child and Adolescent Therapy
  • MAMFT - Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
  • EdS - Trauma-Informed Educational Practices

What is your highest level of education?

Keiser University

  • Associate of Sciences - Medical Assistant

What is your highest level of education?

Colorado Christian University

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therpy
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
  • Applied Psychology, B.S. - Clinical Counseling

What is your highest level of education completed?

Purdue Global

  • Doctor of Health Sciences
  • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Addictions
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

Which subject are you interested in?

Liberty University

  • MA: Marriage & Family Therapy
  • MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)
  • MA: Human Services Counseling: General

What is your highest level of education?

Saint Leo University

  • BA: Psychology - Clinical/Counseling

What is your highest level of education completed?